The Cobblers take on Southend United tomorrow knowing that a win could take the side onto the brink of the playoff contenders and into our highest league position in almost ten years! Last time the sides met was the League Two Playoff semi-finals in 2004 where Southend won 1-0 on aggregate on course to promotion.
Stuart Gray is slowly getting his injured players back with Giles Coke only a couple of weeks away but Andy Holt is a doubt for the visit of the Shrimpers. Holt has a slight hamstring strain and could well miss out while Ian Henderson is still missing with his knee injury.
Southend are without left back Che Wilson who became the latest addition to the Shrimpers’ injury list this week with an Achilles problem. Goalkeeper Darryl Flahaven is still missing with a back injury but defender Garry Richards should return.
THE STORY SO FAR…SOUTHEND UNITED IN 2007/08…
Southend are in fifth place in League One after a poor start to the season was quickly turned around by Steve Tilson.
United began their campaign with a home defeat to Leyton Orient as the O’s recorded a 2-1 win at Roots Hall. Southend saw off Cheltenham in the League Cup but Leeds hammered them 4-1 at Elland Road to keep them on zero points early on.
The Shrimpers’ first win of the season came the following week though as Millwall were beaten 1-0 at Roots Hall before they beat Championship side Watford 2-0 in the League Cup.
Goals were flying in the next couple of weeks as Brighton scraped a narrow 3-2 win over United in the league before a 2-2 draw with Dagenham in the JPT ended with the League Two side progressing on penalties. Southend bounced back with a 3-0 league success over Gillingham and their season finally began to gather pace.
Oldham (1-0), Doncaster (3-2) and Port Vale (2-1) were all beaten either side of a League Cup exit at the hands of Blackpool and a draw with Bristol Rovers stabilised their position in the top six.
A big game with fellow high-flyers Tranmere saw Rovers end Southend’s good run but they bounced back the following week with a 3-0 win over Crewe. Nick Bailey, Gary Hooper and leading goal scorer Leon Clarke with a penalty scored the goals.
Victory at Walsall (1-0) set up another top of the table clash, this time with Carlisle United last weekend but it ended in another defeat as the Cumbrians took top spot in the table as Joe Garner scored the only goal.
RECENT MEETINGS…
21/05/05: SOUTHEND 1-0 COBBLERS
Fredy Eastwood’s controversial penalty sinks the Cobblers in the League Two playoff semi-final, second leg.
15/05/05: COBBLERS 0-0 SOUTHEND
Stalemate at Sixfields in the first leg of the League Two playoff semi-final. Andy Kirk goes closest for Town with a left footed shot just wide.
19/02/05: COBBLERS 1-2 SOUTHEND
Martin Smith puts the Cobblers ahead early on but two goals from Adam Barrett, the second in stoppage time, turned it around for the visitors.
30/11/04: COBBLERS 0-2 SOUTHEND (Football League Trophy)
First half goals from Lawrie Dudfield and Carl Pettefer are enough to see the Shrimpers through.
30/10/04: SOUTHEND 2-1 COBBLERS
Mark Gower and Wayne Gray strike to give the home side a two goal advantage. Eric Sabin scores late on but it’s not enough for Town.
17/04/04: COBBLERS 2-2 SOUTHEND
Leon Constantine slots a penalty home for Southend but Martin Smith’s spot kick equalises. Cobblers defender Paul Reid scores an own goal on the stroke of half time but substitute John Taylor heads home a late goal after coming off the bench to draw us level.
FOR THE RECORD…COBBLERS v SHRIMPERS…
GAMES PLAYED: 119
COBBLERS WINS: 52
DRAWS: 27
SOUTHEND WINS: 40
Stuart Gray is slowly getting his injured players back with Giles Coke only a couple of weeks away but Andy Holt is a doubt for the visit of the Shrimpers. Holt has a slight hamstring strain and could well miss out while Ian Henderson is still missing with his knee injury.
Southend are without left back Che Wilson who became the latest addition to the Shrimpers’ injury list this week with an Achilles problem. Goalkeeper Darryl Flahaven is still missing with a back injury but defender Garry Richards should return.
THE STORY SO FAR…SOUTHEND UNITED IN 2007/08…
Southend are in fifth place in League One after a poor start to the season was quickly turned around by Steve Tilson.
United began their campaign with a home defeat to Leyton Orient as the O’s recorded a 2-1 win at Roots Hall. Southend saw off Cheltenham in the League Cup but Leeds hammered them 4-1 at Elland Road to keep them on zero points early on.
The Shrimpers’ first win of the season came the following week though as Millwall were beaten 1-0 at Roots Hall before they beat Championship side Watford 2-0 in the League Cup.
Goals were flying in the next couple of weeks as Brighton scraped a narrow 3-2 win over United in the league before a 2-2 draw with Dagenham in the JPT ended with the League Two side progressing on penalties. Southend bounced back with a 3-0 league success over Gillingham and their season finally began to gather pace.
Oldham (1-0), Doncaster (3-2) and Port Vale (2-1) were all beaten either side of a League Cup exit at the hands of Blackpool and a draw with Bristol Rovers stabilised their position in the top six.
A big game with fellow high-flyers Tranmere saw Rovers end Southend’s good run but they bounced back the following week with a 3-0 win over Crewe. Nick Bailey, Gary Hooper and leading goal scorer Leon Clarke with a penalty scored the goals.
Victory at Walsall (1-0) set up another top of the table clash, this time with Carlisle United last weekend but it ended in another defeat as the Cumbrians took top spot in the table as Joe Garner scored the only goal.
RECENT MEETINGS…
21/05/05: SOUTHEND 1-0 COBBLERS
Fredy Eastwood’s controversial penalty sinks the Cobblers in the League Two playoff semi-final, second leg.
15/05/05: COBBLERS 0-0 SOUTHEND
Stalemate at Sixfields in the first leg of the League Two playoff semi-final. Andy Kirk goes closest for Town with a left footed shot just wide.
19/02/05: COBBLERS 1-2 SOUTHEND
Martin Smith puts the Cobblers ahead early on but two goals from Adam Barrett, the second in stoppage time, turned it around for the visitors.
30/11/04: COBBLERS 0-2 SOUTHEND (Football League Trophy)
First half goals from Lawrie Dudfield and Carl Pettefer are enough to see the Shrimpers through.
30/10/04: SOUTHEND 2-1 COBBLERS
Mark Gower and Wayne Gray strike to give the home side a two goal advantage. Eric Sabin scores late on but it’s not enough for Town.
17/04/04: COBBLERS 2-2 SOUTHEND
Leon Constantine slots a penalty home for Southend but Martin Smith’s spot kick equalises. Cobblers defender Paul Reid scores an own goal on the stroke of half time but substitute John Taylor heads home a late goal after coming off the bench to draw us level.
FOR THE RECORD…COBBLERS v SHRIMPERS…
GAMES PLAYED: 119
COBBLERS WINS: 52
DRAWS: 27
SOUTHEND WINS: 40
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